More expensive Germany ticket would be out of the question for many
Many users would not accept a price increase for the Deutschlandticket for local public transport. This is the result of a survey conducted by the Yougov Institute on behalf of Deutsche Presse-Agentur. According to the survey, the current price of 49 euros per month is the limit for more than a third of Deutschlandticket holders and prospective holders (37 percent). They would cancel their subscription for local public transport or would no longer consider it if it were to become more expensive one day.
23 percent would still go along with an increase of ten euros to 59 euros, but would then also drop out. Almost one in three subscribers or prospective subscribers would also keep or buy an even more expensive ticket. Six percent of the holders and prospective buyers surveyed would even be prepared to pay up to 89 euros per month.
The Deutschlandticket has been available for six months. Subscribers can use local and regional buses and trains throughout Germany without having to worry about different fares or networks. The subscription has cost 49 euros per month since its introduction.
Who bears the additional costs?
The federal and state governments are arguing about how to finance the service from next year onwards. At the heart of the discussion is the question of who will bear any additional costs incurred by the transport companies due to the lower income from the discounted public transport offer. It cannot be ruled out that the ticket will become more expensive. This Monday, the heads of government of the federal states are wrestling with Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a conference of state premiers to find a solution.
The offer, which has been valid since May, is only available as a subscription. It is automatically renewed every month as long as it is not canceled. This is possible on a monthly basis. Nevertheless, according to the dpa survey, almost half of consumers - holders and non-holders - would like to see a model similar to the so-called 9-euro ticket. The predecessor of the Deutschlandabo was available between June and August 2022. The 9-euro ticket was valid per month and had to be purchased again for each month during this period.
For the survey, 2120 people aged 18 and over in Germany were interviewed from October 27 to 30. The results were weighted and are representative of the population aged 18 and over.
The question about the still acceptable price was answered by those 936 respondents who own a Germany ticket or could imagine buying one. The specific question was: "At what price would the Deutschlandticket no longer be of interest to you or would you cancel it?"
Despite the ongoing debate about financing the Deutschlandticket, some railroad companies might need to increase ticket prices due to lower income from discounted fares. This increase could potentially impact traffic, as many consumers would find a more expensive Railroad ticket unaffordable and opt for alternative modes of transport. For instance, 37% of Deutschlandticket holders and prospective holders would cancel their subscriptions or stop considering them if prices went up.
Source: www.dpa.com
